Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board Prevention Rule Changes

Effective 7/12/24 The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board implemented several rule changes impacting certified prevention professionals. The board provided a synopsis of the prevention rule changes that outlines the new requirements in chapters 4758-5 and 4758-6 covering the requirements impacting prevention certification and the scope of practice (including supervision) for prevention certification.

The new supervision requirements for an Ohio certified prevention specialist assistant (OCPSA) limit prevention services that can be provided by an OCPSA under the supervision of a psychologist, registered nurse, counselor, or social worker to the following services:

• Information dissemination
• Prevention education
• Communication
• Alternatives
• Problem identification and referral

OCPSAs can provide additional prevention services outlined in paragraph (C) and (D), under the supervision of a prevention consultation, prevention specialist, or a health education specialist certified by the national commission for health education credentialing.

The new supervision requirements for an Ohio certified prevention specialist (OCPS) require supervision by a prevention consultant or a health education specialist certified by the national commission for health education credentialing. The OCDP Board will not enforce any discipline for OCPS certificate holders supervised by LISWs or RNs while managing prevention programs and/or conducting planning and evaluation work for one year to allow time to secure proper supervision under the revised 4758-6-09 rule.